“Cassano is a great buy for Italian football, as we have signed a real star, giving extra quality to Parma and also the fans of Serie A,” Ghirardi told Radio Sportiva.

“I always appreciated him as a player. He did a few silly things, but has matured now and at the age of 31 won’t behave the same way he did when he was 20.

“I saw him motivated and eager to put himself up for the challenge. He’ll have the spotlight on him, so we’re proud he chose us.”

Originally Cassano was meant to arrive with Matias Silvestre on loan plus €10m for Belfodil, but plans changed.

“The Cassano and Belfodil moves were completed separately. We are happy to have sold Inter 50 per cent of a great player like Belfodil,” continued Ghirardi.

“Now we have to see about Silvestre, who Roberto Donadoni specifically asked for in order to create an all-Argentine defence with Gabriel Paletta. If we manage it, fine, but if not then we’ll seek another name.

“We are starting this season to confirm ourselves in the top 10, then we’ll see. A small club has to survive with young players and continual transfer activity, as proved by the fact Parma won the Scudetto at Allievi youth level.”

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